If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
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Proverbs 18:13
What does Proverbs 18:13 mean?
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Proverbs 18:13
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It's easy to think this verse is just about not interrupting. But the Hebrew phrasing "returning a word" suggests a back-and-forth that's already begun in the speaker's mind, before they've even truly heard the other person. This isn't just about manners; it's about how our own assumptions and eagerness can blind us to the truth, leading to foolishness and a shameful lack of understanding.
If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse lands amidst a series of proverbs that champion wisdom, discernment, and thoughtful speech over impulsive foolishness. It follows warnings against gossip and divisiveness, setting the stage for practical advice on how to truly listen and understand before forming an opinion or speaking.
Ever jumped into a conversation, only to realize you missed a key point? The writer of Proverbs calls this out directly, revealing a profound human tendency.
Proverbs 18:13 warns us that speaking before fully hearing is foolish. This isn't just about manners; it's about wisdom. When we interrupt or respond without grasping the whole story, our words are likely to be ill-conceived and lead to embarrassment. True wisdom requires patience – listening fully to understand before forming a response.
Wisdom is often associated with knowing what to say, but this verse points to a different, more crucial skill: knowing when to speak.
The pursuit of appearing wise can ironically lead to foolishness if we rush our answers. The verse implies that a hasty response, even if intended to sound knowledgeable, will ultimately expose our lack of understanding. Genuine wisdom, on the other hand, is revealed not just in our words, but in our ability to listen, process, and respond appropriately.
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Understand the original words
iwweleth · Hebrew Noun
Moral stupidity or the refusal to apply God-given wisdom. It represents a life lived contrary to the fear of the Lord, often resulting in self-inflicted harm or disgrace.
This passage directly echoes the wisdom of Proverbs 18:13 by urging believers to be 'quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,' highlighting the virtue of patient listening before responding.
This ancient wisdom text offers a parallel counsel, stating, 'Answer not before thou hast heard the cause; neither interrupt men in the midst of their speech,' reinforcing the folly of premature responses.
This verse references the Jewish law, which, like Proverbs 18:13, required hearing both sides of a case before judgment, illustrating the principle in a legal and spiritual context.
Luke 14:28-30Jesus' parable about counting the cost before building a tower implicitly speaks to the wisdom of careful consideration and planning before acting or speaking, aligning with the idea of hearing fully before answering.
bensonProverbs 18:13: "He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him."
Proverbs 18:13 . He that answereth a matter before he beareth it — Before he hath fully heard and considered what another is speaking about it; it is folly and shame unto him — It is a shameful folly, though he seek the reputation of a wise man by it; as if he could readily and thoroughly understand all that another can say before he has uttered it.
ellicottProverbs 18:13: "He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him."
(13) He that answereth a matter before he heareth it . . .—Comp. Ecclesiasticus 11:8 .
It's easy to think this verse is just about not interrupting. But the Hebrew phrasing "returning a word" suggests a back-and-forth that's already begun in the speaker's mind, before they've even truly heard the other person. This isn't just about manners; it's about how our own assumptions and eagerness can blind us to the truth, leading to foolishness and a shameful lack of understanding.
This verse lands amidst a series of proverbs that champion wisdom, discernment, and thoughtful speech over impulsive foolishness. It follows warnings against gossip and divisiveness, setting the stage for practical advice on how to truly listen and understand before forming an opinion or speaking.
This verse lands amidst a series of proverbs that champion wisdom, discernment, and thoughtful speech over impulsive foolishness. It follows warnings against gossip and divisiveness, setting the stage for practical advice on how to truly listen and understand before forming an opinion or speaking.
"If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame." — It's easy to think this verse is just about not interrupting. But the Hebrew phrasing "returning a word" suggests a back-and-forth that's already begun in the speaker's mind, before they've even trul…
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Last reviewed October 2026